Nothing makes me want to create more than experiencing live music. Performance fills me with inspiration. Below is a drawing of my good friend Sean Breslin. Last Friday, he played at Grooveground. I was there, and so were a lot of my friends and family. It was a wonderful evening. Music brings people together in a way I’m not sure visual art can. If you get a chance, check out Sean’s music. Powerful stuff.

As I’ve mentioned, this summer I’m participating in dowtown Ocean City’s weekly painting event. Last week, it looked like rain. I asked Grass Roots Music if I could paint the interior of thier Asbury Avenue store. Not only did the owner say yes, but I was introduced to the many talented people who work and hang out there. I hope the resulting painting captures the welcoming atmosphere of the guitar shop.

Every week, I organize The Hammonton Art Center‘s Think Thursday event. From 5-9pm there is a kids’ craft, an artists’ activity, and live music. Everyone is welcome to stop in, and now that you know about it I hope to see you there.

Each week I give the musicians portraits I draw of them as they play. Part of me wishes I archived these drawings. The rest of me is very happy that I exchange an evening of my art for an evening of theirs. It is a dream come true to be able to provide a place where the visual and performing arts come together.

Last night, The Hammonton Art Center was lucky enough to have the thought provoking Kimberly Townsend perform. She agreed to allow the whole Figure Drawing club set up easels and draw her as she played. As it was a night dedicated to life drawing, I was able to keep a few of the sketches. Most of my better drawings went to her. Below are the drawings that did not.

It seems like only yesterday that I told you about the Noyes Museum‘s weekly drawing club. Well, the Drawing Room is now over a month old. Starting in June we will be experimenting with persepctive and interior space. Feel free to join us on Wednesday nights. Below are select drawings from my most recent three sessions.

Week 3:

Week 4:

Week 5:

On a side note, a lot of people have been asking about my Facebook project. I have not given up! Spring and summer are my busy seasons. I promise to pick back up right where I left off come fall.

For over a year, I have been posting a drawing from my sketchbook almost every Saturday. This habit helps motivate me to keep a sketchbook. It also encourages understanding of the fact that not every drawing needs to be a masterpiece. I’ve found, as an artist, sometimes there is more of myself in a quick scribble than in a completed painting.

My goal this year is to involve more people in Sketchbook Saturday. If you should decide to participate, please link to your sketch in the comment section below. If you have a Twitter account, label your weekly sketch as #sketchbooksaturday. I will look at everyone’s sketches and retweet a few a week. It is an ambitious New Years resolution, but one I plan to try. Lets make 2010 more artistic than any year before it!

Maybe this will catch on, maybe it won’t. I plan on keeping up the habit either way. It has improved my art and my enjoyment of life.

Lately I have been making posts and updating my Etsy shop using the computers of my kind loved ones. This is a drawing of the computer I am using to upload today’s post. Enjoy your glimpse into the life of Jen.